Thinking about switching majors to either physics or computer science.

[silverpig]

Chicks dig it when you give out your email address as me@physics.school.edu

I'm doing astrophysics and I've been told that having a strong compsci background is a good asset. Your first year is general and you don't have to declare a major (other than science/arts/engineering usually), so use that to take a few phys classes and some compsci. If you decide on physics, then at least you'll have a few programming classes out of the way. I basically know the syntax and what not for java and c++, but can't really do all that much with them. It's been more than enough for now as I've just had to use my applied logical reasoning and ability to construct algorithms to solve problems.

You can get some lab assitant type jobs (~40K/yr) with a B.Sc, and it jumps quite highly after you get your M.Sc, and even a little more after your Ph.D.

The CS field is pretty saturated right now, so I'd suggest physics. There are just so many branching opportunities, from acoustics for sound labs to optics for, well, everything; high end research and theoretical physics; college/university teaching... it just goes on.

 

[cchen]

Originally posted by: UglyCassanova
Thanks for the replies everybody. God this is killing me, but the more I think about it the more enticing a degree in physics sounds. Even if the pay is lower than say, a mechanical engineer (or hell, maybe not. I haven't seen any numbers on engineers), I would think it would be better than a graphic designer. I shocked my parents when I told them, partly because I am doing so well in graphic design.

All of this came about in my Color Theory Class the other day. Although I am among the top of my art classes (especially when it comes to design), I just don't think I really want to do this for the rest of my life. Our assignment was to make a color grid, and so I spent 4 hours staring at a 5 x 5 grid of colors trying to make a design that "works". I realized that I am paying money out of the ass for my education as well as all of my time spent doing it, and I could be doing something else that I would consider much more worthwhile.

I'm not even sure if the first Calculus is offered during the spring quarter, but if not I think I may just take a Trig class to refresh me (It's been 2 years since I've done any so I'm sure I could use it).

I've also heard that the CS market is in a slump, is this true? If so, should one expect any sort of rebound in the future?

Since you have a good design/art(?) background, have you considered trying mechanical engineering? there's a huge computer aided design aspect to it, and a lot of modeling (studiotools, maya, etc) is done by engineers, which you may be interested in.

 

[RossGr]

Lots of good info in this thread. One error I noticed, I do not think that most Physics majors take Organic Chemistry, my school certainly did not require it.

Programming skills are always nice, take as much as you can.

As has been said, before you make major commitments to Physics get through the Freshman/Sophomore Calculus and Physics courses. These are general to all Science majors, after completing the first 2 years you will then have direct experience to make your choice.

Do not try to use the job market as your major career decider. By the time you commit to and complete a degree the market will have changed. Make your choices based on what your like and what you are capable of doing.

Once you get a Physics degree you can compete with either Electrical or Mechanical Engineers for many jobs. Not all engineers have engineering degrees, many have Physics degrees.

I currently am working for a company that has many engineering positions and there are opportunities for me as an engineer, but as a technician I find myself in the uncomfortable position of not being able to afford the pay cut I would have to take to get an engineering job.

 

[Siddhartha]

Originally posted by: UglyCassanova
I'm a graphic design major right now, but I've come to realize that this just isn't for me. I know I am going to switch majors, but I am torn between Computer Science and Physics. Honestly I think I would enjoy physics more than CS, but I am not sure what kind of job market there is other than HS teachers. If I do go the physics route I am fairly certain that I will want to go on and get my PhD, even though I am sure that will put me in debt for the rest of my life. :disgust:

Also, if I do major in physics would cs be a good minor or vice versa? I'm going to talk to some people in the different departments first before I make any kind of decision, but with so many CS and physics people here I would love to hear your input. Thanks!

Go for it!

As others have pointed out you will be exercising and improving your math skills with this major. But I think it is worth the effort because learning and finding out how the universe works is very cool.

 

[opticalmace]

I hope you're (going to be) good at calculus.

Good luck.

 

[MagicianBdotCom]

Uhh high school physics = easy. College physics = hard. Try a physics class, then change majors to CS. j/k hehe Seriously tho, I'm sure you could find careers in either field because many jobs require physics knowledge, although you might want to consider engineering maybe also? But majors don't dictate your job at all, they can guide you but it's doesn't keep you from some things. (Maybe you can't be a doctor though hehe)

 

[Chaotic42]

No way I'd do CS.

Every computer geek in the US is going after a CS degree. Seriously, even in 1998 our CS program was freaking loaded. Apparently LSU has a whole dorm for CS majors.

Besides, by the time you get out, what you learned in your first year may be irrelevant. Math and physics are forever!

 

[gopunk]

Besides, by the time you get out, what you learned in your first year may be irrelevant. Math and physics are forever!

that'd have to be a pretty damn crappy cs program for the former to be true.

 

[gopunk]

I've also heard that the CS market is in a slump, is this true? If so, should one expect any sort of rebound in the future?

yes it's true, but as others have said, don't base your decision on current markets. if you are good at what you do, you will find work.

 

[nebula]

Originally posted by: RossGr
I currently am working for a company that has many engineering positions and there are opportunities for me as an engineer, but as a technician I find myself in the uncomfortable position of not being able to afford the pay cut I would have to take to get an engineering job.

Pay cut to go from Tech. to Engr.?? That sounds messed up. Oh, it just dawned on me, maybe your like a Sr. Tech. and would go to a starting Engr.

N/M - I just realized that is true here too, Sr. Techs. make about the same or more than Associate Engrs.

OK, time to get some caffeine here!!

 

[nebula]

I'm curious, if you originally had the mindset to go into graphic design, I would tend to think that your more of a creative type person. But now you want to switch to technical/science? I'm just thinking from the point of view that people's minds are orientated towards one thing or another. Remember those tests they gave in HS?

I agree with you, taking Trig as a refresher before Calc.1 is probably a good idea. You'll need to know several trig. identities in Calc. without hestitation.

 

[UglyCasanova]

Originally posted by: nebula
I'm curious, if you originally had the mindset to go into graphic design, I would tend to think that your more of a creative type person. But now you want to switch to technical/science? I'm just thinking from the point of view that people's minds are orientated towards one thing or another. Remember those tests they gave in HS?

I agree with you, taking Trig as a refresher before Calc.1 is probably a good idea. You'll need to know several trig. identities in Calc. without hestitation.

I originally started out as a CS major, got through 1 quarter of it without many problems, and decided that graphic design was my real calling. Now I know otherwise.

 

[UglyCasanova]

Up for everbody not at church!